World Our Fathers Made: A Survey of the Records in the County of Albany During the Constitutional Era. 1783-1815

by Tracy B. Grimm

A guide to all the records at the Albany County Hall of Records that pertain to the Constitutional Era (1783-1815). It also includes records of the towns and cities of Albany County for this time period.

Acknowledgements, Introduction, and Preface

Albany County almost always has been an important center providing
goods and services, and has exercised an importance in state and
national affairs beyond all proportion to its size. In this grantfunded
project, "World Our Fathers Made", can be seen our local
manifestations of the concerns for human services and public needs
not too different from those shared by Albany County today.
In this case, shown in this guide to the public records of our
communities, the past is truly prologue.
James J. Coyne
Albany County Executive
1988

Over the past three centuries and more, several dozen people
have served as Albany County Clerk, the clerk of record for one
of America's oldest communities, in one of New York's original
Charter counties. While these people helped to shape the region's
history, and often were important functionaries, it was the records
themselves which provided the continuity. In a time of great flux
and change such as the Constitutional Era, this records-keeping
function creates the administrative portrait of the times, showing
why decisions were made and who our people were. To the all but
anonymous County and Town Clerks of two hundred years ago,
we owe a great debt. Their safeguarding of these documents
allows us to see the Albany County of their time once again.
To this guide, "World Our Fathers Made", the scholars and
educators of tomorrow will owe a debt nearly as great,
as we seek to understand the turbulent birth of our nation
as it was felt in the County of Albany two centuries ago.
Hon. Thomas G. Clingan
Albany County Clerk

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First and foremost I would like to thank Bob Arnold, former Executive
Director of the Albany County Hall of Records, former County Historian,
and director of this project. His enthusiasm boosted my own when
obstacles were encountered; his reading and rereading of drafts along
with his knowledge of the area's local history, saved this guide from
efforts otherwise overlooked. I would also like to thank the Hall of
Record's present Executive Director, Mary F. Vines, for her patient
editing and her direction in preparing this guide for publication.
To the archives staff at the Hall of Records - Meredith
Cherven-Holland, Cari R. Palmer, Jeanenne Paquin, and Helen
Chmielewski - I owe a great debt for familiarizing me with their
archival policies and for their assistance in organizing the records
survey. I would like to express my gratitude to the participants of the
"World Our Father's Made" conference. Their intellect and concerns
served as a guide for the direction this survey would follow. Those
participants were Dr. Thomas Burke, Hon. Robert J. Bums, Ms.
Meredith Cherven-HoUand, Dr. James Folts, Dr. Maryanne Malecki,
Mrs. Rose-Marie Manory, Hon. Edita Probst, Hon. Herbert Reilly, Ms.
Valerie J. Restifo, Hon. Jane Springer, Mr. John Tmvis, and Ms.
Cari R. Palmer. I would like to single out Dr. James Folts of the New
York State Archives and express thanks for his invaluable guidance
and review of the Court Records section. I would like to thank Mrs.
Marie Wiedeman of the Bethlehem Historical Society for taking an
afternoon and introducing me to the society's collection of local history.
I would also like to- extend appreciation to Ms. Jane Springer,
Guilderland Town Clerk; Mr. Paul S. Murphy, City Clerk of Watervliet;
Ms. Carolyn M. Lyons, Bethlehem Town Clerk; and Ms. Kathleen Newkirk
and Ms. Gloria Johnson of the Bethlehem Town Clerk's office for their
time and efforts in making available their
respective town records.
Tracy B. Grimm

PREFACE
WHO WERE WE THEN?
Who were the people of Albany County during the nation's infancy.
How did they make their livings, indeed, where did they live,
what services did they require, what alterations in their environment
did they make? What chattels or real properties did they own?
How do we know the rise or decline of their fortunes, the nature and
result of their adversities, the roads they walked, the oxen they drove,
the feral hogs they ran unringed? The flavor of their lives is in
the public records of the era, now two centuries remote.
While we cannot imagine the relative silence or comparative isolation
of their world, or fully understand the cultures in which they were
formed, their public records reflect their needs, their hopes, and their
reality; these records reflect the world our fathers made. A guide to
the public records of the Constitutional Era - here defined as 1783-1815
- has not been attempted on the local level before; these records are
broad strokes on the canvas eventually depicting that time and give rise
to our present. With funding from the New York State Commission on the
Bicentennial of the United States Constitution, with the support of County
Executive James J. Coyne, the Albany County Committee on the
Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, the Hudson-Mohawk Institute
of the College of Saint Rose, the Albany County Hall of Records, the
Albany County Historian's Office, and, of course, Albany's County Clerks,
past and present, Guy Paquin and Thomas G.. Clingan, this guide was
created. Special accolade is also due to Tracy Grimm, an intern from
the College of Saint Rose hired with State Bicentennial commission
funds to produce this guide. Its high quality is all but entirely due to
her.
Robert W. Arnold III
Project Director
November 17, 1988

INTRODUCTION
While the nation's leaders were occupied with adjusting to the
new Constitution, the government of the County of Albany and the
local governments of its municipalities were occupied with meeting
the growing needs of their citizens. The Constitutional Era was a time
of expansion and internal development for the County of Albany.
As the population of the county increased, so did the partitioning of its
townships. The formation of townships and their local governments
provided organization to allow these communities to develop
accommodations for their individual, local needs. Roads and highways
were planned and built in response to the petitions of groups of citizens
to their local boards of Highway Commissioners. The rural communities
of Albany County as well as the city of Albany were dependent upon
their local governments for organization and implementation of their
civil futures. The existing records of this period in the County's history
are today held by the Albany County Hall of Records,the County Clerk,
Town Clerks, local historical societies, the Office of Public Records of
the City of Albany, and the New York State Archives and Records
Administration. It is from the collections of these repositories that this
survey was compiled. As with any historical study or survey,, limitations
to the scope of this study were established due to restrictions of budget,
time and focus. "World Our Fathers Made" is a survey of public records,
records which a government unit generates or keeps, created during
the Constitutional Era. The era has been defined as the period of
1783-1815. In accordance with this limitation, only those towns of
Albany County whose dates of establishment precede 1815 have
been included in this guide.

ALBANY COUNTY RECORDS

INDICES TO THE RECORDS OF ALBANY COUNTY
Farm Survey Index (1767-1878)
Index to the Public Records of the County of Albany (1630-1894)
Index to Wills and to Letters of Administration (1780-1895)
Index Record of Leases (1767-1811)
Location: Albany County Hall of Records
* = available on microfilm
*Farm Survey Index
This index is arranged alphabetically according to the name of the party
requesting the survey. The index provides descriptions of the areas
surveyed, the name of the surveyor, and the date the survey was
completed and filed with the County Clerk.
*The Index to the Public Records of the County of Albany
The Index to the Public Records of the County of Albany contains groups
of Grantees, Grantors, Lis Pendens, Maps, and Mortgagors indices.
The Grantee and Grantor indices are arranged alphabetically by the name
of the grantee and grantor respectively. They provide the name of the
grantor and grantee, a description of the property, the date of the
transaction, the date the deed was recorded, and the book number and
page of its location. The Map and Mortgagor Indices each are arranged alphabetically
and provide brief descriptions of the maps and mortgages along with their
locations. The Lis Pendens volumes, arranged alphabetically by the
defendant's name, provide that defendant's name, the plaintiff's name,
the date, the book and page where located, and a brief description.
Volume "C" of both Grantees and Grantors is of special interest since it
contains a record of Corporation transactions. Subtopics of this section
include lists of associations, banks, companies, religious organizations
and societies that have corporate deeds or mortgages.

*Index to Wills and Letters of Administration (1780-1895)
This index is arranged by date of Probate. It provides the names of
deceased and the volume and page where the wills and letters can be located.
*Index Record of Leases
Organized alphabetically, this index provides a register of
granted by the City of Albany. It provides information such as the date
of lease, to whom granted, where situated, the amount due, and when
payment was due.
Albany County Records. 1742-1842. (41 documents).
Location: Albany County Hall of Records
Arrangement: alphabetical by subject
Indexing: none
Albany County Oaths
This collection contains a total of 41 oaths. Each of the oaths
contain a general statement of allegiance followed by signatures.
The collection includes two groups of oaths of allegiance to King
George II. While pledging allegiance to King George, they also contain
oaths of abjuration of the person "who pretended to be the Prince of
Wales" and his descendants. These groups date from 1742-46 and 1772-1776.
Other groups in the collection include declarations of opposition
to church doctrines, such as transubstantiation, ranging in date from
1719-1776, and oaths of allegiance to New York state dated 1778-1829,
some of which also contain oaths of office for county clerks and
justices of the peace.
Oaths of allegiance to the U.S. Constitution (1789-1795) as well
as Constitutional oaths combined with oaths of office also are included.
Other documents include Military Oaths and Qualification Roll dated 1791-94,
oaths of judicial officers, oath of Sheriff, oaths of allegiance and
abjuration in Mayor's Court,
1787-1842.
Title Date
Justification and Allegiance to King George 11,
4 documents ..............................................1742-1770
Oaths of Allegiance to King George III
2 documents ...............................................1772-1776
Declarations of Opposition to Church Doctrines,
8 documents ................................................1719-1776
Oaths of Allegiance and Abjuration to State of N.Y.,
3 documents.................................................1778-1793
Oaths of Allegiance/ Abjuration-County Clerk.......................1808
Roll of Allegiance, I document................................1778-1779
Oaths of Allegiance and Abjuration to N.Y.S........................1787
Oath of Allegiance and Abjuration, (proposal to
outlaw dueling) ..............................................1791-1829
Oaths of Allegiance, U.S. Constitution,
2 documents...................................................1789-1795
Oaths of Militia Officers, 2 documents........................1791-1796
Judge Bronk's Military Qualifications Roll.........................1796
Oaths of Allegiance to U.S. and N.Y.S. Constitution
and Oaths of Office, 3 documents..............................1806-1808
Oaths of Justices of the Peace, 3 documents ..................1784-1790
Oaths of Justices of the Peace and Qualifications
Roll.......................................................1806-1808
Oaths of Judicial officers of Inferior Court of
Common of Pleas..................................................1778
Oaths of County Clerks.............................................1778
Oath of Justice of the Peace.......................................1778
Oath of Sheriff....................................................1778
Oath of Allegiance and abjuration to N.Y.S.
and U.S. Constitution, 5 Documents............................1789-1805
Mayor's Court Oath of Allegiance and
Abjuration....................................................1787-1835
Roll of Attorney's and Counsellors,
Common Pleas................................................1780-1847

COUNTY CLERK: REAL PROPERTY RECORDS. 1767-1878.

97 VOLUMES.

Location: Albany County Hall of Records
Arrangement: Chronological
Indexing: some indexing through the index to the Public Records of the
City of Albany, Farm Surveys
Index, and Record of Leases Index.
Real Property Records include items such as farm surveys, deeds,
mortgages, leases, field books, and corporation conveyances.
Many of these records can be indexed through the Grantors-Grantees Index
to the Public Records of the County of Albany (see page 3).
*- available on microfilm.
*Albany Assessment Rolls. 1813-1834. (1 vol.)
This volume provides the assessment roll of the real and personal
property in the Third Ward of Albany. It is organized by streets, and the
names of those assessed. A description of the property and the amount
paid also is given.
*Chamberlain's Office Corporation Conveyances. 1797-1815.(2 vol.)
The Corporation Conveyances are records of land granted or sold by the
Corporation of the City of Albany. The records provide the names of the
new property owners, the date of the sale or conveyance, and a description
or survey of the land.
*Commissioner of Deeds Indenture Made True. 1808. (1 vol.)
This volume of indentures is a record of loans made by the County of
Albany. The loans, borrowed against land (collateral), were made in
accordance with a state act entitled "An act for loaning monies to
citizens of this state."
Also included are handwritten accounts of payments made against
the loans.
*Deeds. 1774-1815. (14 vol.)
The volumes are arranged chronologically and within each year deeds
are organized alphabetically by the grantee's name. These deed records
provide the name and address of grantor and grantee and a location
and description of the property. Since the original deeds were returned
to the grantees, these documents are the copies which were filed with the
County Clerk.

Volume fifteen is of special significance as it contains the deeds in
which Revolutionary War Veterans handed over their bounty lands to
speculators.
*Farm Surveys. 1767-1878. (17 vol.)
These unbound volumes are arranged and labeled alphabetically by
landholder's last name. A limited index is included. Surveying
calculations are included, along with boundary descriptions. Several names
appear in the surveys which may be associated with the various towns.
For example, names such as Ten Eyck and Ver Plank of Coeymans, and Huyck
of Rensselaerville appear.
*Field Books. 1766-1804. (5 vol.)
Field Books document the division of property in specific land patents,
territories, or towns. The books include survey information such as
boundaries of patents and numbered lots which were often described by
reference to bordering creeks, and individual lands.

*The Index to The Public Records of the County of Albany. 1630-1894.
(38 volumes).
See page 3.
*Mortgage Books. 1773-1815. (16 vol.)
Mortgage Books provide information such as names of mortgagor and
mortgagee, along with property descriptions and locations.

COUNTY CLERK MAPS

Location: Albany County Hall of Records
Indexing: Some indexing through Grantor's Map Index
The County Clerk's office collects all maps which form part of the
county records. The clerk's office holds maps of cities, towns, villages,
cemeteries, roads, turnpikes, highways, and railroads. The collection
also includes surveys of property in conjunction with deeds, leases and
mortgages.

Title Date
-Beaver Creek, Property of Philip Wendell 1802
-Catharine St. to City Line, Church St. to
Washington St. 1811
-City of Albany, Map of 1790
-City of Albany, Map of Livingston Lot
Between Washington, Hamilton, and Green St. 1809
-City of Albany, Map of North, South,
and West Boundaries 1808
-Delaware Turnpike, Map of Sundry
Lots on Both Sides 1815
-Dutch Church Lots, Map of 1805
-Dutch Church of Albany, Map of
the Pastures - 1799
-Elizabeth Field to Area of the Dutch
Church, Map of Property Lines 1790
-Gansevert, Leonard & John Wendell, Map
and Survey of the Water Lots of 1793
-Great Western Turnpike, Map of Lots
Belonging to J. Woodworth on the
South Side 1833
-Greenbush, Map of Estate of Col.
John Van Rensselaer 1806
*-Guilderland, Map of Brown & McPherson
Farms Showing North and South
Boundaries of the City of Albany 1788
-Hudson River Properties including Properties
of John Barclay, Thomas Hoghtaling,
John Brante, and Peter TenEyck c.1770
-Kemp, Joseph & Isaac Lansing, Map of
Sundry Lots 1813
-Langer, Johanna, Survey of & Partition of
Three Tracts of Land Granted 1790
-Lydius & Church St., Map of Lots Between 1807
-Market St., Montgomery St., & Orange St.
Map of Property Along 1799
-Montgomery St. From Orange St. to
Quackenbush St., Map of the
Continuation of 1813
-Preston Map, Part of 1815
-Robinson's Map, Property Along
Hollenbake St. 1799
-Snipe St., Map of Lots Between Lion St.
& the Schenectady Turnpike 1813
-Southwick, Solomon & Henry C., Maps
of Lots Sold By 1813
-Tauncey, John. Survey of Property Located
in the Third Ward of Albany 1794
-Turnpike Road, Between Ananias Platt's
Ferry Opposite of Troy to Schenectady 1802
-Turnpike from Hudson River to Ferry St. in
Troy to Village of Schenectady 1806
-Van Rensselaer, Col. John, Map of
Estate at Greenbush 1806
-Water Lot Adjoining the Upper Dock,
Map of 1803
-Watervliet, Map of Laying of a Public
Highway 1793
-Watervliet, map of Property of B. Ten Eyck
and Others 1788
-Watervliet to the Village of Washington,
Map of Proposed Road 1800

City of Albany Records

Albany County and City Records

Location: Albany County Hall of Records
Arrangement: Numerically; grouped by subject
Indexing: None
Series Description:
This collection, originally stored in City Hall, was transferred to
the custody of the State Regents in 1911. This transfer was prompted by an
1880 City Hall fire that destroyed numerous valuable documents. The
collection, which is comprised of 300 cubic feet of Albany County records
and 65 cubic feet of Albany City records, was transferred from the State
Archives and Records Administration (S.A.R.A.) to the custody of the city
and county of Albany after their archives were established.The records
within the Constitutional Era provide evidence of an expanding city with
growing needs. The record group includes deeds, leases, land patents,
election records, assessment rolls, Alms House records, laws and
resolutions of the Common Council, Chamberlain accounts, and other records
relating to the functions of city government.

Albany City Records. 1726-1895. 47 file boxes.

Common Council Records
Albany's 1686 Dongan Charter defined the power of the Common Council
to make laws and ordinances. By charter provision the Common Council was
thus established as the legislative body of the city. Members of the Common
Council were also Commissioners of Highways for the City of Albany.
Accordingly, this collection contains a large number of documents relating
to the maintenance and development of the city's streets and roads.
The role of the Common Council has remained relatively unaltered. Today,
as a legislative body, it reviews and acts on legislation and resolutions
for the government of the City and the management of its business.
Common Council Records. (1783-1815). Box
Laws and ordinances passed by the Common Council (52-57)
Street assessments and paving 1,10
Granting of burial grounds 11
Leases of ferry boats to individuals 13
Granting of deeds and leases 11,12,17,18,22,44
Survey of Corporation land 20
Petitions to Common Council for land grants 4,5
Land patents 21
Petitions (misc.) 36
Inventory of papers of the city of Albany,Charter
deeds, leases and bonds 1686-1774 31
Conditions of sale 37
Granting of licenses by Common Council 150
Common Council Minutes. 1723-1817. (16 volumes).
The minutes of the Albany Common Council provide the names of those present,
the date, and a description of the issues discussed.
Chamberlain's Records. (1783-1815).
The Chamberlain or treasurer was elected by the members of the city
corporation. The Chamberlain received and disbursed all moneys raised by
tax in the city. This included such duties as collection of all assessments,
apportionments, and rents and also the disbursement of salaries and payment
of corporation expenses. Today, the responsibilities of the city treasurer
have changed little and include collection,custody and deposit of all taxes
and other city funds. The treasurer's office annually processes the
billing and collection of property and other tax accounts.
Chamberlain Records Box#
Inventory of City Chamberlain papers -
1790-1791,1803 31
Chamberlain accounts, letters, receipts
and vouchers 1,5,14,16,22,23,
23A,24,25,26,27,28,29,31,32,33,35,
(45,46,48-51),(58,59,61,62,63),
(64,65,66,67),75,77,78,87.
Alms House Accounts 2,5,(45,46,48-51)
Poll lists 14
Albany Academy accounts 30
Record of Albany County Bonds 1815 151
Indictments 1803-1815 669-1
Recognizances 1790-1835 674-1
CITY ENGINEER MAPS
Location: Albany County Hall of Records
Indexing: Some indexing through Grantors' Map Index - see The Index to the
Public Records of the County of Albany page
* = available on microfilm
These maps are products of the City's Bureau of Engineering.
The first official City Engineer and Surveyor was Abraham Oake who took
office in 1800. Still in existence today, the Bureau is responsible
for all public works engineering projects in the City, makes engineering
investigations, prepares drawings, and maps, and supervises public
construction throughout the city.

Related Court Records

New York Courts/Albany County Courts 1783-1815

Circuit Court. (1808-1823). (2 Volumes).
As the trial branch of the Supreme Court of Judicature, the Circuit
Court tried personal actions involving demands of $250 or more.Justices
of the Supreme Court were required at least twice a year to hold circuit
courts in each county. The Circuit Court began in 1692 and was renamed
"Trial Terms of the Supreme Court" in 1894.
Title Date
Circuit Court Minutes 1808-1823
Court of Chancery. (1808-1825). (I volume.)
The Court of Chancery existed 1683-1847. This court held general
equity powers which enabled it to apply justice in areas which were not
specifically covered by the common jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and
County Court of Common Pleas. An index to the cases is included but no
descriptions of the cases are given.
Title Date
Court of Chancery Register Ledger B 1808-1825
Court of Common Pleas. (I 785-1820). (7 volumes).
The origin of the Court of Common pleas can be traced to 1653.
Jurisdiction of this court was confined to civil matters.
The court mainly tried cases involving demands for debts and damages.
Cases involving civil actions for slander, assault and battery, replevin,
and other types of disputes were also tried.
The minutes provide the location, date and time of court sessions,
judges present, and the proceedings. Proceedings include such court business
as review of applications made by attorneys wishing to practice at the Bar
of that court. Also in the proceedings are minutes of cases, testimony of
witnesses and verdicts of the juries.
Title Date
Court of Common Pleas Minutes 1785-1820
Mayor's Court. (1761-1832). (14 volumes).
Albany's Mayor's Court acted as a City Court of Common Pleas.
Minutes state the location and date of each session along with the names of
those present at each session. Mayor's Court "Alien papers" contain
petitions for naturalization. These petitions provide information such as
the birthplace of the petitioner and the year the petitioner began residence
inthe United States. Also included are sworn statements of character
reference and the petitioner's sworn oath of citizenship.
Title Dates:
Mayor's Court Minutes, (14 volumes) 1761-1832
Mayor's Court Alien Papers (I box) 1800-1851
Mayor's Court Judgements (I box) 1802-1811
Oyer and Terminer Minutes. (1805-1848). (6 volumes).
The Court of Oyer and Terminer, the criminal branch of the Circuit
Court in each county, tried cases which dealt with higher crimes.
Within the jurisdiction of the Oyer and Terminer Court were trial of
indictments found by the grand juries to that court and to the Court of
General Sessions. Recorded in the Minutes are court proceedings of each
session, summaries of cases and judgements and lists of presiding judges
and jurors involved. Cases involve crimes such as burglary and assault and
battery.
Title Dates:
Oyer and Terminer Minutes 1805-1848
Surrogate's Court Records. 1787-1845. (5 boxes)
Included in this group of records are not only wills and letters of
administration but also an index to the wills and letters. The index is
organized alphabetically. Many of the wills are stored at the Surrogate
Court.
Title Date
Surrogate's Court Index to Wills
and Letters of Administration 1787-1845
Albany County Surrogate Wills and
Letters of Administration, 4 boxes 1800-1840

RECORDS OF TOWNSHIPS

RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF BERNE

The Township of Berne was established in 1795 through an act of the
State Legislature. Originally part of the Town of Rensselaerville,
"Bern" (the final "e" was added later) was the fourth township to be
separated from the then Town of Watervliet.
Sources to consult for public records of this town include the
Index to the Public Records of the County of Albany (see page 3) in which
Deeds and Mortgages can be located, and the Farm Surveys Collection
(see page 8). Since the Farm Surveys were done at the request of
landowners,the collection covers random areas of the County. With some
searching, surveys pertaining to the area of Berne may be found.

RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

Town of Bethlehem Minutes. 1794-1813. One volume (16' x 10')
Location: Bethlehem Town Clerk's Office
The minutes of the Town of Bethlehem begin with a town meeting
held at the house of Henry Burhans, "Innholder". on Tuesday, April 1, 1794.
These minutes record the passage of several resolutions.
It was resolved that the sum of 100 pounds be raised to support the poor
during the ensuing year. A resolution for the more orderly control of
cattle was approved; "no stallions, swine, or unruly cattle shall be allowed
to run at large in the public Highways". The minutes state that these
resolutions were passed by a majority vote of the freeholders and
inhabitants present.
In addition to a record of resolutions, the minutes provide a record
of officers chosen each year. The volume's first entry provides the names
of the first officers chosen, including Supervisor (Phillip Van Rensselaer);
Town Clerk (John Van Derheyden); Commissioner of the Highways (3 persons
named); Overseers of the Poor (2); Assessors (5); Collectors (2); Constables
(7); Overseers of the Highways (20);Pound Masters (2); Fence Viewers (2).
At an April 15, 1794 meeting of the Commissioners of Highways, it
was ordered that the Overseers of the Highways of the Town of Bethlehem be
directed to make out lists of the names of persons working under their
directions. A description of an overseer's assigned area or road is given,
followed by a list of men under the direction of that overseer; several such
entries occurred after the 1794 order. One,dated 1797, contained a list
twelve pages long, including 33 overseers and all of their workers.
Throughout this volume appear lists of persons granted licenses and
permits by the Commissioners of Excise. Names are listed along with the
amount paid and how paid, i.e. "grantice" (sic), etc. Petitions for
the building of roads are recorded along with proposed locations and
descriptions of those roads.
Book of Strays. 1794-1831. One volume. (13' x 8).
Location: Bethlehem Historical Society
The Book of Strays records descriptions of wandering cows, horses,
and pigs along with their marks. Also described are the cattle marks or
brands of several landholders.
Manumission Records. 1799- . Photocopies only.
Location: Bethlehem Historical Society
These records are labeled with the title, "Records of Bethlehem For
the Purpose of Interring Negro Children Born Slaves From this First Day of
July 1799 "(sic). The entries contain assessment by Overseers of the Poor
of the health of a slave to be freed and the slaves' ability to subsist.
Also recorded are requests by owners to allow their slaves to be manumitted
upon the death of said owner.

RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF COEYMANS

The Town of Coeymans was established in 1791 following its partition
from the Township of Watervliet. Records of the Town exist mainly as
property records collected by the Albany County Clerk.
The Albany County Hall of Records holds a "Coeyman's Patent Field
Book" dated 1788 and a field book entitled, "Division of Coeyman's Patent,"
dated 1766-1791 (see "Property Records" page 7). An additional source
available for locating existing records is The Index to the Public Records
of the County of Albany (see page 3) in which Deeds and Mortgages can be
found.

RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF GUILDERLAND

Town of Guilderland Minutes. 1803-1834. 1 volume. (I 7' x II).
Location: Guilderland Town Clerk's Office
The Town of Guilderland holds a complete collection of town records
from its first town meeting until the present. Although the collection
provides only one volume dating from the Constitutional Era, the information
contained in this source is abundant and, from it, a valid image of the
lifestyle of the town's residents during the first decade of the nineteenth
century can be developed.
The first volume, The Records of the Town of Guilderland (1803-1834)
begins with a copy of the special act of the State Legislature which
partitions from the Town of Watervliet a separate town by the name of
"Guilderlandtandt". Along with this act are the minutes of the first town
meeting held at the house of Henry Apple. The meetings were held at the
Apple residence (and tavern) for several years, even after Henry Apple's
death, when the minutes of 1812 record the meeting as held at the Widow
Apple's house. The results of the town election are listed, providing the
names of the Town's first elected officials. Minutes of this first meeting
contain a record of the first resolutions passed. Included in these
resolutions is a law prohibiting hogs from running at large and a resolution
promising that a bounty of thirty dollars would be paid by the town to any
person killing a wolf.
The volume includes a long list of those citizens that were
qualified and of sufficient ability and understanding to serve as jurors.
The names and occupations of these persons are listed; in some cases there
is also a listing of disqualified citizens and the reason, such as old age,
that they were disqualified.
Manumission of slaves is also recorded. Slave owners were required
to report births among their slaves and renounced ownership of these newborn
children. One such entry is a certificate by Fredrick Crounce
dated April 28, 1803, which gave notice of the birth of a black male child
named Simon to Crounce's "negro wench slave named Dianna".
Included in the minutes is a record of licenses and permits granted
for retailing "strong and spiritous liquors". The licenses' names appear
along with the number of licenses and permits they received, the cost,
their "places of abode", and whether or not the fee was paid.
Other meetings provided descriptions of domestic animals which broke
into neighbor's enclosures, as well as descriptions of brands farmers used
on livestock (cattle, sheep, and hogs). Several of the minutes contain
records of the divisions of the road districts by the Commissioners of
Highways. A petition for the laying of a public highway and the tract of
land proposed is described. The volume includes a record of payments by
the town for repair of bridges and roads in the town. Also recorded is the
first division of the town into school districts.

RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF RENSSELAERVILLE

Rensselaerville Town Minute Book. 1795-1833. (12.5' x 7.5).
Location: *on microfilm at the New York State Archives and Records
Administration.
The minutes of the Town of Rensselaerville contain records of
resolutions passed,. officials elected and appointed, election results,
minutes of road commissioners, and excise commissioner's minutes.
The book's first entry begins, "At a meeting of the freeholders and
inhabitants of the Town of Rensselaerville held at the house of David
Crooker Esq. on the first Tuesday and Wednesday in April 1795"; the minutes
continue on to record a vote on "petitions of freeholders" to lay a road.
At this first April meeting appointments of persons to take the census were
made and several resolutions were passed. One resolution reads, "Resolved
by said freeholders and inhabitants that the fences in said town which are
made four and a half feet high and well erected shall be adjudged to be
lawful for the ensuing year".

RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF WATERVLIET

Town of Watervliet Minutes. 1793-1844. 1 volume. (I 7' x II')
The minutes of the Town Board of Watervliet begin with the events of
a town meeting held April 2, 1793 at the house of Isaac Truax Junior,
Innholder. Minutes from nearly every meeting included election results
providing the positions and names of those elected. The list for this
meeting included: Supervisor, (Stephen Van Rensselaer Esq.), Town Clerk,
(Luther Trowbridge), Commissioners of Highways, Assessors, Overseers of the
Poor, Collectors, Pound Masters, Street Masters, Fence Viewers, Overseers of
Highways, and Constables. Common in town meetings was the passage of
resolutions which indicate what community life was like and how it was
changing.
A particular resolution passed at the April meeting provided that
one hundred and eighty pounds, nineteen shillings and six pence be raised
for the support of the poor of the town. Support of the poor was an issue
common to each town meeting. At the April 3, 1799 meeting the town resolved
to set aside one hundred pounds for the poor; at the 1802 meeting sixty-one
pounds was to be raised and at the 1809 meeting it was agreed that four
hundred dollars would be raised for the support of the poor.
Throughout the volume appear lists of persons granted licenses and
permits by the commissioners of excise. Names and residences were recorded,
including some in Colonie and along the Old Schenectady Road.
Slave manumissions were also recorded in the Town minutes. It
appears that the slave owner had to certify with the town any slaves to
whom he granted freedom, with approval by the town justice of the peace.
Those manumissions recorded include a statement and agreement by the slave
owner that the former slave is granted freedom. Following this statement
is an official acknowledgement by the overseers of the poor and justices of
the peace. Many of the manumissions are of newborns. In these cases the
owner of slave parents certified an abandonment of any claim to the child.
Resolutions for the control of roaming animals were frequent.
Specific resolutions forbade the free running of stallions, swine, and
rams. Fines varied with each meeting. At the April 1793 meeting it was
resolved that all rams be kept enclosed from the first day of May to the
first day of August under penalty of gelding.
Many of the town meetings held during this period were occupied with
the upkeep and development of roads and bridges. The April I 1, 1793
meeting of the Commissioners of Highways recorded those present:Bastian
Visscher and Gernt Witbak. Also recorded is the resolution of an act for
the better laying-out, regulation and repair of all common public highways.
At the May 18, 1793, meeting it was resolved that improvements on the public
roads and bridges within the Town of Watervliet were absolutely necessary
and the Commissioners agreed upon the sum of one hundred pounds to be raised
for the ensuing year. The minutes of the August 7, 1793 meeting record a
petition for the necessity of laying out of a Public Highway through a
pasture of Stephen Van Rensselaer.
As evidenced by recorded complaints, the regulation of the highways
was a persistent issue. One such complaint involved the actions of John B.
Brandt and John Baker who were "making obstructions in the public highway
at the Southwest corner of the Cross Street opposed to the House of Henry
Quackenboss on the east side of Watervliet Street". It is recorded that
the laying of timber and the preparations for erecting a building were the
cause of the obstruction.

RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF WESTERLO

Since the town of Westerlo was created in 1815 from pieces of the
neighboring Townships of Coeymans and Rensselaerville, records of the
Township for the year 1815 are sparse. Records of the area and its
residents prior to 1815 are dispersed among records of Coeymans and
Rensselaerville. The types of public records that may be uncovered include
farm surveys, deeds and maps. References to Westerlo may also be
found in the Town Minutes of Rensselaerville.

Glossary of terms

Abjuration - an oath to abandon rights or allegiance
Adjudged - implies a judicial determination of a fact, and the entry
of judgement
Assessment - a determination of property value
Assessor - an officer responsible for setting valuations for taxation
Certiorari - a writ issued by a superior court requiring a court
to produce a certified record of a particular case.
Chirograph - an obligation which a person wrote or subscribed with
his own hand; an acknowledgment of debt, as of money
received, with a promise to repay
Commissioner of the Highways - officer of town government with the
power to take charge of opening, altering, repairing, and vacating of
highways
Constables - an officer of a municipality whose duty it was to
preserve the public peace.
Corporation - in the case of the Corporation of the City of Albany,
corporation is defined as a legal entity consisting of an association of
individuals who act as a unit in promoting and acting upon matters
relating to the common purpose of the association.
Deed - a document which transfers land from one person to another;
a conveyance of real property
Fence Viewers - those local government officers responsible for
regulation of fence lines
In re - in the matter of; regarding; used in entitling a judicial
proceeding in which there are not adversary parties such as in the case
of a bankrupt's estate
Indictments - a written accusation presented by a grand jury to a
court charging a person therein named as guilty of an act prohibited by
law
Instrument - a formal or legal document such as a contract, deed,
will, or lease
Land Patent - title to public land granted to private citizens
Lease - a contract for possession and profits of land for a
determined period of time
Ledger - a book of accounts in which all monetary transactions of a
day are entered

HALL OF RECORDS EXPANSION PROJECTPARKING NOTICE:The Albany County Hall of Records will be starting an expansion project AUGUST 14, 2017.
This project will take several months. We ask our visitors to park in the provided area behind the building or on the street. Thank you for your patience as our records facility is enhanced.